Nicola Kirk: Author and Collector of Paranormal Stories and Other Strange Encounters

Posts tagged ‘Urban Exploration’

What is it about disused hospitals that’s so interesting? I mean, I’m assuming it’s not just me who gets a strange sort of thrill out of nosing through old hospital records and inspecting questionable machinery?

Well, thanks to the wonders of the internet, it is no longer necessary for you and I to go sneaking around boarded up buildings whilst attempting to dodge security guards wielding angry Alsatians because… you can always find someone who’s already done all the dangerous stuff for you – urban explorers are worth their weight in gold! (Health & Safety bit – I am in no way suggesting that you all go out and invade your nearest derelict hospital armed with torches and ski masks. Urban Exploration can be a very hazardous turnout and is best left to the experts… No, really, it is.)

One place that grabs my undivided attention with both hands is Cane Hill, an old psychiatric hospital in Coulsdon. It opened in 1882 and was capable of holding over 2,000 patients (apparently in 1953 they had about 2,400 people stuffed in there). Cane Hill finally shut up shop in 1991. Sadly, once it closed, the hospital suffered terribly at the hands of arsonists and a general lack of maintenance, so many of the floors soon fell through or were so spongy you took your life in your hands if you walked on them but Cane Hill still remained an incredible place. Sadly, demolition of the vast hospital began in March 2008 and was due to have been completed in January 2010, leaving only a couple of the original buildings standing. I guess all good things have to come to an end.

Urban Decay: A ward at Cane Hill

Both Michael Caine and David Bowie had half brothers who attended Cane Hill and Charlie Chaplin’s mother also went there until Charlie could afford private care for her. Treatments dished out at Cane Hill varied from electroshock therapy to hydrotherapy and as time passed they even cracked out some light and art therapy, too. I know which ones I would opt for…

The dentist will see you now…

Cane Hill was, of course, a ghost hunter magnet. How could it not be with its deserted corridors and spooky old chapel. There are stories of security men patrolling the site with their hard-as-nails dogs, only to have the animals run away whimpering from a figure seen wandering amongst the trees. Upon further investigation, the grave of Cane Hill’s first superintendent was discovered amongst the undergrowth.

My favourite urban explorer, Simon Cornwell, documented Cane Hill over the years so I highly recommend a visit to his website to see the photos (link below). During a visit to the enormous chapel they have on site, Simon came away with some interesting ‘spectral mist’ photos, one of which I have cheekily added here:

A strange mist plagues Urban Explorers at the Cane Hill chapel

To be honest, I don’t think Cane Hill needs reams of ghost stories to enforce the fact it was a brilliant place. As you will see from the photos on this post, and if you visit other Urban Explorer websites (from whence these photos came, thanks guys), it’s clear just how enigmatic and intriguing the place was.

John of North Weald has written to me about two local strange experiences and he has kindly given me permission to share them here:

“Seeing your letter in the North Weald Village Life Newsletter, I thought you may be interested in the following two tales. The first is my own experience and the second that of a lady, now passed on, who lived in Pensons Lane, Ongar.

First, whilst out walking one day last spring/summer over by the old radio station on North Weald Common, I stopped at Seven Springs where I stopped to enjoy the view of the lake surrounded by trees in leaf in the sunshine. I became aware of a shadow or dark patch in front of me but at an angle to my left. To my surprise, and apprehension, it moved slowly in my general direction and passed about three or four yards to my left where it drifted over the bridleway and disappeared. It had little shape and no legs and just floated above the ground.

The Old Radio Station, North Weald, that John passed on the way to Seven Springs

Regarding the second experience, the lady referred to was a keen horse rider. On two separate occasions when riding with a companion in Pensons Lane the horses bolted when frightened by a swirling mist-like substance. She was quite convinced they had seen a ghost.”

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I have created this blog to collect weird, supernatural and paranormal stories from around the British Isles. I am also collecting myths and legends. Please feel free to email me any of your own strange experiences and/or myths and legends to weirdworld@hotmail.co.uk. Enter your email address below if you would like to receive notification of the latest posts.

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